Ex-gay bullying unacceptable

13 December 2013

Core Issues Trust requests responsible journalists wishing to interrogate the issues relating to its work, to refrain from using the shorthand expression “gay cure” and “conversion therapy” when describing its activities. The Trust does not operate using a “medical” model nor does it see homosexuality as a disease in need of a “cure”. The description is factually wrong and misleading.

In the matter of Core Issues Trust versus Transport for London (Appeal Court 9/10 December, 2013) - the “London Bus Case”, the Trust reiterates that the advertisement agreed for placement on Transport for London (TfL) Buses was in response to Stonewall’s advert, “Some people are gay. Get over it!”. Our rejoinder: “Not gay! Ex-gay, post-gay and proud. Get over it!” - was banned by mayoral candidate at the time Boris Johnson, yet simply reflected an alternative view.

Many men and women, who for a variety of reasons, which may or may not include a desire to make a religious identity primary, successfully move away from homosexual feelings and practice - often without the use of counselling and psychotherapy. This attests to the fact that human sexuality is fluid, and the brain malleable, – far from the categorical notion that homosexuality is fixed, innate and immutable as implied by the Stonewall advertisement.

“Individuals wishing to leave homosexuality, and those who identify themselves in terms other than what they once were, are a minority group who deserve to be recognised and respected” said CIT’s co-director, Dr Mike Davidson. “The actions of Mayor Boris Johnson, first in banning an alternative view deemed offensive to some, and then both in refusing full disclosure and even denying that he banned these advertisements, illustrate how unaccountable he has made himself and how little regard is offered by politicians to people who have a right to identify, unapologetically, as formerly homosexual – whatever their preferred label”.

Core Issues Trust supports the freedom of all groups to represent themselves in a flourishing democracy, and rejects the unfettered right of a public body such as TfL to make judgments about personal identities. In this case it did so. It was evidently also Boris Johnson’s view that the existence of those who are no longer homosexual, who wish to pursue other identities in life, is offensive to some sections of society.

British society is being encouraged by Stonewall and Mr Johnson to bully and force individuals who experience homosexual feelings into accepting the socio-political identity that they are “gay” - as though there is no other identity choice around this position. This is blatant social engineering which we have seen in other European situations on more than one occasion over the past decades.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) continue to refuse, after repeated requests, to provide the Trust with any research data that would show that homosexuality is “biological” and efforts to reduce or eliminate, where possible, such feelings are ipso facto harmful. This, together with the dishonesty of Mayor Boris Johnson has created a highly unequal society in this sensitive area.

Dr Davidson said “Why should individuals who wish to walk away from homosexual feelings and practice, quietly and without malice toward any other group, not be allowed to do so? We call on the government to ensure that unpopular minorities, and those so vilified by leaders of public bodies potentially motivated by political gain, are awarded protection and the right to represent themselves fairly, openly and without discrimination.

Useful links & resources

The Church House Interview

Should the Church of England ban 'Conversion Therapy'?

We're not smiling about this! Will the evangelical wing of the Church of England learn from Tim Farron's experieince? If conceding to Jayne Ozanne's demands or refusing to oppose her motion, they should prepare to change the historical Gospel teaching of the church on human sexuality. Will the church disregard the concerns of other- and no-faith groups outside of the Church of England,who do not accpet the normalisation of homosexual practice as a normal varient of human sexuality?